Early history
Rachel Rachel was first envisioned by bass player Jennifer York while working for a radio station in New York City. She felt that the Lord told her to go to California to play bass, and to start an all-girl rock band. York knew that finding female rock musicians was not going to be an easy task, but talented musicians found their way into each of the needed roles. Lead singer Cheryl Jewell was discovered as the secretary of York's manager, Bob Angelotti. A recent convert to Christianity, Jewell gave up several secular opportunities to join Rachel Rachel. Guitarist Heli (Helen) Sterner formally of the all-female pop band Big Trouble would be the next member to join, and Brynn Beltran, also a strong vocalist and keyboard player, soon also joined the band, and the group began to produce demos. White Heart producer and guitarist Billy Smiley heard one of these demos and began to help the group to prepare material for their first album. The last member of the original band to be recruited was Jennifer "Sparky" Sparks, who would play drums for the band until they disbanded in 1994.
Career years
Rachel Rachel signed on with Word Records in 1990, and began working on their first album. Released in 1991, Way to My Heart featured the members of Rachel Rachel, as well as studio musicians including Carl Marsh, Dann Huff, and several members of White Heart. The album contained a number of songs written by band members, as well as covers such as the Kansas classic, "Carry On Wayward Son". The eighth track from this album, "I Will Stand by You", written by lead singer Cheryl Jewell, Sue Sheridan, and Matthew Christianson, became a No. 4 radio hit. The album itself hit the No. 25 mark on the Billboard Contemporary Christian Music chart in June 1991.
With the success of Rachel Rachel's first album, founder Jennifer York decided that she could quit the band. The remaining members could see only one possible replacement for a female bass player: Robin Spurs, who had recently left The Choir. However, initially Spurs declined the group's offer, feeling that she was not ready to go back into music so quickly. Later, she accepted the position, saying that God had told her to get back into music with Rachel Rachel.
With a new band member ready to roll, the group released a second album, You Oughta Know by Now, in 1993. Again, this album was produced by Billy Smiley, and featured guest artists such as Mark Matheson, Blair Masters, Smiley, and Dann Huff. Before recording, Spurs left the band so York returned to add electric bass to the album. "Only Heaven Knows" (written by Smiley, Beltran, and Sterner) and "You'll Never Know" (written by Beltran) both became No. 1 songs, and greatly increased Rachel Rachel's popularity.
After releasing this album, Rachel Rachel spent seven months touring with WhiteHeart. However, apparently at the top of their career, Rachel Rachel disbanded. Brynn Beltran, keyboard player for the group, cited "creative differences" as part of the reasons for disbanding, explaining that because the group was based in California they were too far from the music scene in Nashville.
Carry On Wayward Son
Rachel Rachel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For there'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more
Once I rose above the noise and confusion
Just to get a glimpse beyond the illusion
I was soaring ever higher, but I flew too high
Though my mind could think I still was a mad man
I hear the voices when I'm dreamin', I can hear them say
Carry on my wayward son,
For there'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more
Masquerading as a man with a reason
My charade is the event of the season
And if I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't know
On a stormy sea of moving emotion
Tossed about I'm like a ship on the ocean
I set a course for winds of fortune, but I hear the voices say
Carry on my wayward son,
For there'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more
Carry on, you will always remember
Carry on, nothing equals the splendor
Now your life's no longer empty
Surely heaven waits for you
Carry on my wayward son,
For there'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more
"Carry On Wayward Son" is a prog-rock classic by the American band Kansas. The song has become an anthem of resilience and perseverance for many people. Its lyrics tell a story of a man's struggles in life, his attempts to overcome them, and the eventual realization that he needs to find peace within himself. In the chorus, the man's father advises him to keep going, promising him that peace awaits him when he is done.
The first verse of the song describes the man's journey through life, as he rises above the "noise and confusion" of the world to seek truth and meaning. He is striving for enlightenment, but he realizes that he has been foolish to think that he could fly so high without any consequences. The second verse portrays the man as a "masquerading" figure who is trying to hide his true identity. He pretends to be wise, but the voices in his head tell him that he is still ignorant. The chorus, repeated twice, reminds the man to "carry on" despite the challenges he faces.
The overall message of the song is one of hope and encouragement. It speaks to anyone who is struggling to find their way through life, telling them that perseverance and determination will ultimately be rewarded. The song's timeless appeal lies in its ability to touch people on a personal level, regardless of their circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Carry on my wayward son,
Keep going, my dear child, on your unique journey through life.
For there'll be peace when you are done
When you have finished your journey, you will finally be able to relax and have peace.
Lay your weary head to rest
After all the challenges and struggles, you can finally rest.
Don't you cry no more
Don't let your emotions get the best of you.
Once I rose above the noise and confusion
I once managed to get above all the thousands of voices around me.
Just to get a glimpse beyond the illusion
I wanted to see past all the chaos and confusion in the world.
I was soaring ever higher, but I flew too high
I became too proud and lost sight of what really mattered.
Though my eyes could see I still was a blind man
Even though I thought I could see clearly, I was still blind to many things.
Though my mind could think I still was a mad man
Even though I thought I was sane and making good choices, I was still acting foolishly.
I hear the voices when I'm dreamin', I can hear them say
Even when I sleep, I still hear the same voices that trouble me during the day.
Masquerading as a man with a reason
I pretend to be someone with a clear purpose in life, but I'm really just pretending.
My charade is the event of the season
Everyone seems to enjoy my act and think it's impressive.
And if I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't know
If I brag that I'm a wise person, it only shows that I don't truly understand anything.
On a stormy sea of moving emotion
My life is like an unstable, choppy ocean of feelings and experiences.
Tossed about I'm like a ship on the ocean
I'm being pushed and pulled in different directions, just like a boat on the waves.
I set a course for winds of fortune, but I hear the voices say
I tried to aim for success and happiness, but the same voices still haunted me.
Carry on, you will always remember
Keep going, and you will always have memories that will give you strength.
Carry on, nothing equals the splendor
There is nothing greater or more magnificent than continuing to move forward.
Now your life's no longer empty
Thanks to your effort and perseverance, your life is no longer devoid of meaning.
Surely heaven waits for you
Your reward for your hard work and determination is waiting for you in the afterlife.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kerry Livgren
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind